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Leeds head coach Daniel Farke claimed Manchester City goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma of feigning injury to "bend the rules" during their Premier League fixture at the Etihad

Leeds got off to the worst possible start with Phil Foden finding the net inside the first minute, before Josko Gvardiol doubled the home side's advantage before the interval

Second-Half Comeback Thwarted

However, Leeds rallied following the interval after a adjustment of strategy and formation, with Dominic Calvert-Lewin scoring immediately following the restart

Furthermore with Manchester City visibly struggling to cope with the changes just before Lukas Nmecha levelled, home keeper Gianluigi Donnarumma went down to get treatment, enabling manager Pep Guardiola to summon his team to the touchline and issue new directions in the two minutes play was halted for

"Everybody understands why he collapsed," Farke stated

"It is not the obvious issue. Why he went down it was obvious. It is within the regulations. It is clever. If I approve? If it's in line with the sense of fair play? If it ought to be like this I will keep to myself. It is for the governing bodies to determine a solution"

Manager's Disappointment

"I questioned the fourth official at this moment if you want to do something. Our options are limited"

"Unless we teach our footballers in the game what to do in regards of sportsmanship and fair play and whatever and if we just try to exploit regulations and even do a simulated knock in an attempt to do an extra team meeting, it is not what I like personally. But if it is allowed by the regulations I have no grounds for complaint"

Late Deciding Goal

Phil Foden's stoppage-time winner condemned Leeds United to a sixth loss in seven Premier League fixtures to place them 18th in the division, with only last-placed Wolves having notched less Premier League strikes this season

Tactical Changes

Nonetheless, Farke, who has been criticised for a lack of adventure especially around changes, was almost vindicated for a bold decision at the interval that nearly turned around their situation

Speaking to television pundits, Foden, said that his team were only capable to regroup following Pep Guardiola's touchline meeting with his players

"At half-time we were in control. After halftime they came out, harried us a lot more aggressively, they put two up top and altered the setup a bit," commented Foden

"We really struggled to get hold of the game. We got together on the edge of the field and changed a couple of aspects and it improved from there. That brief pause was vital to make corrections"

Encouraging Signs for Leeds

The most recent occasion Leeds United lost four successive Premier League matches was in 2022-23, when their campaign concluded with relegation

Nevertheless, while Farke said that "their main feeling is frustration", their second-half display offered enough evidence to indicate they are capable of halting their current form and climbing up the standings

"Displaying such a performance should provide us plenty of confidence. If we demonstrate such determination and togetherness we have a excellent opportunity to earn the points," the manager continued

"We possessed the belief before the match, throughout the fixture and after the game. Or else you can't come back with a performance like that. We have strong unity and fighting spirit in the locker room"

Expert Opinion

Speaking on radio analysis, ex- Celtic forward Chris Sutton remarked: "Everybody expected it to be a comfortable win for Manchester City, but it has been far from easy in this second half"

"Leeds can derive a lot from this performance with the manner they have performed in this second period"

"Following that were Daniel Farke's adjustments, who is frequently criticised for not being as responsive as he should be. Dominic Calvert-Lewin came on and physically challenged the City centre-backs"

"It appeared like it could be a huge turning point in Leeds United's season, but City discovered a measure of quality. They got away with one this evening"